Is it possible for an RPG-7 to take out a tank?

Question

I know that it is unlikely that an RPG-7 could take out a tank with a single shot. But what about multiple shots? 3? 5? 8? Is it even possible?

For hypothetical purposes, lets use an M1 Abrams tank for the example.

Please answer!

Yes I got the idea for this question from a game, but I would like to know just how realistic the game is being.

let's not say completely destroy the tank, but disable it to the point where it cannot majorly contribute to the battle, other than use as cover.

Answer 1

First, it depends on what warhead do you have for that RPG-7. The new ones (currently being introduced into Russian Army) are claimed to be able to destroy a 3rd generaton tank (like Abrams). I know that thermobaric warheads of similar penetrating ability are being constructed in numerous ex-Warsaw Pact countries.

But I assume you are talking about one of those old warheads. Whether I'm not a tanker, I doubt that multiple hits would be deadly. Of course, there's always the "golden shot", the lucky one that hits a fragile point. The more shots you take, the more likely it becomes.

Composite armor (Chobham-style, like that used in Abrams tanks) doesn't become more vulnerable as a whole when it gets hit with a HEAT warhead. The very point of hit - yes, but then - it's next to impossible to land your missiles twice in the very same point.

There's always a chance that you damage the tank. If it were me tryng to take out an Abrams with an old-styled RPG-7, I'd try to hit a tread. with tread ripped, the tank would become immobilised. then you can either fire a couple more grenades (hoping the tankers inside will panick and surrender), or - what is more healthy - get out of there, before the guys inide call for help. Unless you have a better AT weapon than that RPG and can bring it and pop the tank open.

Also, it's hard to acheive, but you can disable a tank by hitting the right part of the turret - the targeting utensils, effectively blinding the gunner. He can't hit a thing any longer, so the tank has to withdraw and go for som repairs.
Some people claim that a .50 caliber sniper rifle would be a good way to acheive this. I don't know.
Anyway, in this case you've won the day - the tank is retreating, and won't be back very soon.

Maybe - just maybe - you could damage the engine, firing a RPG from above of the tank. But that's hard to acheive, and most of the gratings on Abrams are covered with the turret, IIRC. Still, a tank with a destroyed engine is a sitting duck.

Answer 2

No the M1 Abrams is a really tough machine. RPG's might be able to disable the M1A1 with a lucky hit but the crew would survive and the tank would only require small repairs.

In the first Gulf War M1's fire upon each other during friendly fire and the armor survived.

Answer 3

RPG or RPG7 cant knockout a M1,M1A1 or M1A2 abrams as evolved upgrade abrams have dense uranium mesh mix homogeneous steel armor shell, chobham composite interior armor layers as exterior and interior front hull and turret sloped front-sides are virtually impenetrable. RPGs cant destroy tank or any tank cant be destroy by RPGs. RPGs can do disabled tank tracks or engine.

Answer 4

the standard RPG-7 will do basically no to minor damage to an Abrams. As to multiple shots, the tank crew(unless they were in a coma) wouldn't stick around long enough to take that many hits without taking out their targets.

Answer 5

You could disable the m1 from the standpoint of destroying the treads immobilizing the tank. The m1 has too thick of armor to destroy with an rpg however, you could destroy thinly armored vehicles such as the m2 bradley.

Answer 6

Are you talking about game? Really sound like it.

In reality you can take out tank with RPG-7. You will not blow it up, but you will disable it. For tank it is critical to be disabled. but if you use 3 or more rpg's, then you will take it down for sure. Nothing will withstand of so much heat.

Answer 7

Yes RPG's have been knocking out loads of Abrams lately

Answer 8

Yes it is _possible_ to damage an M1A1 to the point where it is 'out of the fight.'

But not likely.